The Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) Ltd in Rivers State has officially commenced crude oil processing.
Femi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), announced the milestone on Tuesday, describing it as a “monumental achievement for Nigeria.”
“Today marks a groundbreaking milestone signifying a new era of energy independence and economic growth for our nation,” Soneye stated.
He extended congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the NNPC Board, and GCEO Mele Kyari for their “unwavering commitment to this transformative project.”
In addition to crude oil processing, Soneye confirmed that truck loading would also commence immediately.
He further indicated that NNPCL is “working tirelessly to bring the Warri Refinery back online soon.”
The achievement comes after multiple missed deadlines. In August 2023, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Heineken Lokpobiri projected the refinery would be operational by December of that year. Subsequently, in March 2024, NNPCL’s Group Managing Director Mele Kyari projected April as the production commencement month.
During an August inspection of rehabilitation work, Kyari had emphasized the organization’s commitment, stating, “We are aware of our nation’s challenges in terms of fuel supply. But we are not here to give excuses. We are focused on delivering this rehabilitation project, our two other refineries, and all other investments towards revamping the nation’s refining capacity.”
Kyari also expressed optimism about Nigeria’s potential, saying, “We are hopeful that in 2024, this country will be a net exporter of petroleum products.”
